BY JUSTIN RAYFebruary 8, 2000 -- Read our description of the countdown and launch of a Boeing Delta 2 rocket and four Globalstar communications satellite. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.

2237 GMT (5:37 p.m. EST)
So today's launch has been declared a success, the first for Boeing's Delta 2 rocket fleet in 2000. Globalstar's entire 52-satellite constellation is now in place in low-Earth orbit.

We have posted a video of today's launch. This is a 224k, 33sec QuickTime file. Also, check out our post-launch story.

2227 GMT (5:27 p.m. EST)
T+plus 63 minutes. SECO 2 is confirmed. The second stage has completed its second firing. Beginning in about one minute, the stage will begin maneuvers to achieve the proper orientation for deployment of the first two satellites. Deployment of the first two satellites is expected at T+plus 67 minutes.

2226 GMT (5:26 p.m. EST)
T+plus 62 minutes, 20 seconds. The rocket's second stage engine has restarted for a planned 19-second firing. This final boost will place the stage and attached satellites in the intended orbit for spacecraft separation.

2224 GMT (5:24 p.m. EST)
T+plus 60 minutes, 30 seconds. The NASA tracking station in Canberra, Australia, has picked up the rocket's signal. Coming up on second stage engine restart in less than two minutes.

2221 GMT (5:21 p.m. EST)
T+plus 57 minutes. Now five minutes away from resuming the powered flight to place the four Globalstar satellites into their intended orbit. The second stage will be restarted at T+plus 62 minutes, 13 seconds to boost the stage and attached spacecraft from the current elliptical parking orbit to a circular orbit about 497 nautical miles high.

2214 GMT (5:14 p.m. EST)
T+plus 50 minutes. It turns out the earlier data loss was a ground tracking station problem at Diego Garcia and not any fault of the Delta 2 rocket. The problem has been fixed and good data is being received from the vehicle.

2209 GMT (5:09 p.m. EST)
T+plus 45 minutes. Boeing says it is not receiving all the data from the Delta 2 rocket as expected through the Diego Garcia tracking station. However, this does not necessaarily mean there is a problem. A full set of data is expected through the next downrange tracking station in Canberra, Australia.

2201 GMT (5:01 p.m. EST)
T+plus 37 minutes. Communications have been established between the Delta rocket and the Diego Garcia tracking station in the Indian Ocean. Vehicle systems are all reported to be operating normally. The rocket is currently in a slow roll, called a "barbecue roll," that allows even heating to the second stage and satellites.

2158 GMT (4:58 p.m. EST)
T+plus 34 minutes. The Delta 2 rocket and the attached Globalstar satellites are passing over Saudia Arabia headed for the Indian Ocean. This coast period will last for another 28 minutes or so.

2147 GMT (4:47 p.m. EST)
T+plus 23 minutes. The sun is now shining brightly at Cape Canaveral. A big difference from the launch time when the Delta soared into completely cloudy skies.

2141 GMT (4:41 p.m. EST)
T+plus 17 minutes. The U.S. Air Force tracking station in Oakhanger, England has acquired signal from the Delta 2 rocket as it travels over Europe, some 17 minutes after departing Florida.

2139 GMT (4:39 p.m. EST)
T+plus 15 minutes. With the rocket in a coast period, there really isn't anything to report. We will pass along any information that becomes available. But the next major event will be restart of the second stage engine at T+plus one hour and two minutes.

2136 GMT (4:36 p.m. EST)
T+plus 12 minutes, 30 seconds. Second stage and four Globalstar satellites aboard now in a preliminary parking orbit and will coast for the next 50 minutes. The stage's engine will be restarted southwest of Australia as the vehicle reaches the apogee of the orbit.

2135 GMT (4:35 p.m. EST)
T+plus 11 minutes, 20 seconds. SECO 1. The second stage engine has cut off as planned following its first firing today.

2134 GMT (4:34 p.m. EST)
T+plus 10 minutes. About 78 seconds left in the second stage firing. There have been no updates from Boeing in the last several minutes.

2132 GMT (4:32 p.m. EST)
T+plus 8 minutes, 30 seconds. No problems have been reported in the second stage firing, which continues as the rocket head up the Eastern Coast of the U.S. Data from the rocket is being provided through the Air Force's New Hampshire tracking station.

2130 GMT (4:30 p.m. EST)
T+plus 6 minutes, 30 seconds. The second stage continues to fire for this its first of two planned burns. This firing will continue for another 4 1/2 minutes.

The launch ignition sequence will begin at T-minus 2 seconds when a Boeing engineer triggers the engine start switch. The process begins with ignition of the two vernier engines and first stage main engine start. The four solid rocket motors then light at T-0 for liftoff.

2123 GMT (4:23 p.m. EST)
T-minus 1 minute. The Range has issued its final clearance to proceed with launch. The second stage hydraulic pump pressures have been verified acceptable and the pump has gone to internal power.

2122 GMT (4:22 p.m. EST)
T-minus 2 minutes. Pressurization of the first stage liquid oxygen tank is now under way. Puffs of vapor from a relief valve on the rocket will be seen in the remainder of the countdown as the tank pressure stabilizes.

The four Globalstar spacecraft are go for launch. One satellite will serve as the 48th and final primary spacecraft in the Globlastar network while the other three will act an on-orbit spares.

2121 GMT (4:21 p.m. EST)
T-minus 3 minutes. Launch has been cleared to occur at 4:24 p.m. EST, the end of today's available window. Weather is "go" for launch.

The safety destruct safe and arm devices are being armed. Shortly, the four Globalstar satellites will be declared ready for launch.

2120 GMT (4:20 p.m. EST)
T-minus 4 minutes and counting. The countdown has restarted for the launch of Delta 276 and Globalstar 7.

Weather has been declared GO for launch!

2119 GMT (4:19 p.m. EST)
Now one minute away from resuming the countdown.

A network of tracking stations around the globe will be used to collect and relay telemetry data from the Delta 2 rocket during launch today.

At liftoff, the TEL-4 tracking station here at the Cape will provide coverage of the first stage of flight and second stage engine ignition.

As the vehicle heads up the Eastern Seaboard, the Air Force's New Hampshire tracking site will acquire signal about 5 minutes, 24 seconds into flight. New Hampshire will cover the mission for 6 1/2 minutes through the first cutoff of the second stage. Also during the New Hampshire pass, live video could be received from a special video camera mounted on the dispenser that holds and will release the Globalstar satellites.

Additional Air Force tracking sites in Oakhanger, England and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean will receive data during the long, quiet coast period before the second start of the second stage.

Just prior to reignition, the NASA tracking site in Canberra, Australia will pick up the rocket's signal to cover the critical second burn of the second stage and deployment of all four satellites.

Under two hours into flight, after the satellites have separated, the Air Force's Colorado station will pick up the signal from the second stage to watch two scheduled engine firings. The first is an evasive maneuver to move the spent stage away from the Globalstar satellites. The second will deplete the stage's remaining onboard fuel supply.

2117 GMT (4:17 p.m. EST)
The plan being discussed is to pick up the count at 4:20 p.m. and take the clocks down to T-minus 70 seconds in hopes the weather becomes acceptable. If conditions are OK, liftoff will occur at 4:24 p.m. EST. If weather remains unfavorable, the countdown will stop and today's attempt will be scrubbed.

2115 GMT (4:15 p.m. EST)
Five minutes left in this hold if the weather is acceptable.

2112 GMT (4:12 p.m. EST)
The Range says it is watching a boat that was nearing the restricted area off the coast of Cape Canaveral. However, the boat is turning away and should not be a problem.

Weather remains a constraint.

2110 GMT (4:10 p.m. EST)
If the weather cooperates, the countdown will resume in 10 minutes at T-minus 4 minutes and counting, heading toward a liftoff at 4:24 p.m. EST. That is the very last moment in today's launch window.

2106 GMT (4:06 p.m. EST)
The Boeing launch team will now target the very end of today's available launch window for liftoff. This is being done to wait for weather to become acceptable. Liftoff is now planned for 4:24 p.m. EST.

2105 GMT (4:05 p.m. EST)
Weather is still reported "no go" and the decision has been made to extend this hold.

2103 GMT (4:03 p.m. EST)
The earlier problem with rain has gone away. Precipitation is no longer a concern. However, thick clouds are still a threat. Mission Director Rich Murphy is discussing the situation with Launch Weather Officer Joel Tumbiolo.

2102 GMT (4:02 p.m. EST)
A clearing trend in clouds is moving this way. The question is when it will arrive.

2100 GMT (4:00 p.m. EST)
Weather conditions remain unacceptable for launch. The good news is the launch team is not working any technical problems with the rocket, satellites or ground support equipment. Standing by for word if the weather will improve to allow a liftoff at 4:10 p.m. EST or if the T-minus 4 minute hold will be extended again.

2056 GMT (3:56 p.m. EST)
Now 10 minutes away from the scheduled time to resume the countdown from T-minus 4 minutes.

2054 GMT (3:54 p.m. EST)
Today's 30-minute launch window is now open. However, more rain sprinkles are falling at the press site.

2050 GMT (3:50 p.m. EST)
A weather aircraft continues its flights around Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to check cloud conditions in real time. Under the current plan, if weather is acceptable, the countdown will pick up from T-minus 4 minutes at 4:06 p.m. for liftoff at 4:10 p.m. EST (2110 GMT).

2042 GMT (3:42 p.m. EST)
The decision has been made to extend this built-in hold an additional 16 minutes, leading toward a new liftoff time of 4:10 p.m. EST. This is being done to await improved weather. Also, the new time is after the collision avoidance period, or COLA, for the International Space Station during today's 30-minute window.

2040 GMT (3:40 p.m. EST)
T-minus 4 minutes and holding. The countdown is now holding for 10 minutes. At this time the launch crew is not reporting any problems with the Delta 2 vehicle, Globalstar spacecraft or ground systems. However, weather is red due to thick clouds and rain.

2039 GMT (3:39 p.m. EST)
T-minus 5 minutes and counting. Standing by to go into the T-minus 4 minute hold. That will be a 10-minute hold in the countdown, but the hold will be extended if weather conditions do not become acceptable.

2035 GMT (3:35 p.m. EST)
T-minus 9 minutes and counting. The first stage RP-1 fuel tank is now being pressurized for launch. The tank is situated atop the liquid oxygen tank aboard the Delta 2 rocket. The RP-1 fuel is pumped into the RS-27A main engine through a feed line which runs through the LOX tank.

The countdown is heading to T-minus 4 minutes for the planned 10-minute built-in hold. Launch is still set for 3:54 p.m. EST, if the weather improves. Conditions are currently "no go" for liftoff.
2032 GMT (3:32 p.m. EST)
Command receiver checks have been completed and test results are acceptable.

A few rain drops now falling at the press site just over a mile from the launch pad.

2031 GMT (3:31 p.m. EST)
The Range Safety command destruct receivers that would be used to destroy the Delta rocket should a problem arise during the launch are now being checked.

2029 GMT (3:29 p.m. EST)
No additional information is available from the weather reconnaissance aircraft. However, at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility, located north of the Delta rocket launch pad, is reporting clearing skies to the northwest of the Cape Canaveral. The hope is that clearing will continue to move toward the Cape.

2024 GMT (3:24 p.m. EST)
T-minus 20 minutes and counting. The countdown has resumed on schedule following the 20-minute built-in hold. Clocks will now tick down to T-minus 4 minutes where the final planned hold is scheduled. Launch remains scheduled for 3:54 p.m. EST.

Weather conditions are very iffy for liftoff. The thick cloud rule is currently being violated and light precipitation has been seen about 10,000 feet.

2020 GMT (3:20 p.m. EST)
The launch team has been polled and decision has been made to resume the countdown as planned at the end of this 20-minute built-in hold. Clocks will pick up in four minutes.

The U.S. Air Force has refined the collision avoidance, or COLA, that will prohibit liftoff during a portion of today's launch window. The COLA, caused by the International Space Station, will open at 4:06 p.m. EST (2106 GMT) and last for four minutes.

2007 GMT (3:07 p.m. EST)
A weather reconnaissance aircraft is being used over Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to provide updates on the current conditions. At this time, the cloud deck over the air station starts at 6,500 feet and extends upward to 11,000 feet. Although right at the limit, that 4,500-foot thickness does violate a launch weather rule. In addition, light precipitation has been noted in the clouds by the aircraft, also creating a "no go" condition for launch.

2004 GMT (3:04 p.m. EST)
T-minus 20 minutes and holding. This is a planned 20-minute hold that is scheduled into today's countdown. Air Force Launch Weather Officer Joel Tumbiolo has just reported that the cloud thickness rule is currently being violated. The clouds over Cape Canaveral are thicker than 4,500 feet.

1954 GMT (2:54 p.m. EST)
Steering checks are beginning with the Delta 2 rocket's first and second stage engine nozzles.

1944 GMT (2:44 p.m. EST)
T-minus 40 minutes. Clocks are counting down to the T-minus 20 minute point where a 20-minute long hold is planned. One additional hold at T-minus 4 minutes is scheduled, leading toward a liftoff at 3:54 p.m. EST.

There no technical problems are being discussed on the communications loops between launch team members. Weather conditions, specially clouds, remain a bit iffy today. Overall there is a 60 percent chance weather will prohibit liftoff during today's 30-minute launch window.

1935 GMT (2:35 p.m. EST)
The Delta 2 rocket is now fully fueled at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's pad 17B. The loading of liquid oxygen into the first stage was completed at 2:35:06 p.m. EST, taking 24 minutes and 53 seconds to complete.

Because of the liquid oxygen's super-cold temperature, the launch team will maintain the LOX tank at the 95 percent level during the countdown. They will then replenish, or "top off", the rocket's supply of liquid oxygen to ensure a proper level for flight.

Liquid oxygen loading completes fueling for launch. The first stage was loaded this morning with RP-1 fuel, a highly refined kerosene. The LOX and RP-1 fuel will be consumed by the first stage main engine during the first 4 1/2 minutes of flight. The second stage's storable propellants of Aerozine-50 fuel and nitrogen tetroxide oxidizer were pumped aboard the rocket on Sunday.

1932 GMT (2:32 p.m. EST)
The first stage liquid oxygen tank has been filled to the 95-percent level, ending the fast-loading operation. The tank will now be slowly loaded to 100 percent.

1930 GMT (2:30 p.m. EST)
Now 20 minutes into liquid oxygen tanking. This filling operation of the rocket's first stage should be completed in the next few minutes or so, at which point the tank supply will be maintained through the duration of the countdown to launch.

1920 GMT (2:20 p.m. EST)
Our live reports are coming to you from Press Site 1 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. This position in about one mile from the launch pad where the Boeing Delta 2 rocket and four Globalstar satellites await liftoff at 3:54 p.m. EST (2054 GMT).

The launch team is now 10 minutes into first stage liquid oxygen tanking operations. The loading of cryogenic liquid oxygen into the Delta 2 is the final step in fueling the booster for launch. Storable propellants were pumped into the second stage on Sunday and the first stage RP-1 fuel was added earlier this morning. Liquid oxygen is loaded this close to liftoff because of its super-cold temperature. The LOX naturally boils away and the rocket's tank must be replenished to ensure properly levels for launch.

Boeing officials say upper level winds are acceptable for flight, which was a concern today. However, thick clouds and thunderstorm anvil clouds are still a threat.

1909 GMT (2:09 p.m. EST)
The "go" has been given to start loading liquid oxygen into the Delta 2 rocket's first stage.

1754 GMT (12:54 p.m. EST)
T-minus 150 minutes. The terminal countdown for Delta 276 and the seventh Boeing launch for Globalstar begins at this time from the T-minus 150 minute point. Thirty minutes of hold time is built into the rest of the count. The time will be split between a 20-minute hold at T-minus 20 minutes and 10 minutes at T-minus 4 minutes. Liftoff remains scheduled to occur at 3:54 p.m. EST (2054 GMT), the opening of today's half-hour launch window.

1540 GMT (10:40 a.m. EST)
The Boeing launch team is pressing ahead with work to ready a Delta 2 rocket for liftoff today at 3:54 p.m. EST (2054 GMT) from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

Early this morning workers loaded the rocket's first stage with RP-1 fuel, a highly refined kerosene. Just after 9 a.m. EST, the 12-story mobile service tower at pad 17B was rolled away from the rocket and into the launch position.

Over the next few hours final pre-launch work will be completed on the pad and ground systems. Also the four Globalstar satellites atop the two-stage Delta rocket will be turned on and configured for launch.

The terminal count for launch will start at 12:54 p.m. EST. Once the clocks begin ticking, the launch team will pressure tanks and bottles aboard the rocket, activate the vehicle's guidance computer and load liquid oxygen into the first stage, which is slated to start at about 2:09 p.m. EST.

There is a predicted collision avoidance period, or COLA, today that will prohibit liftoff during an approximate 10-minute period in the middle of the 30-minute launch window. This window cutout is caused by the passing International Space Station. The exact timing of the COLA and its duration will be refined by the U.S. Air Force today.

The weather forecast for today has become less optimistic with only a 40 percent chance of acceptable conditions. Earlier, the forecast had called for a 70 percent chance of good weather. The main concerns are clouds, which are currently creating a dark morning at Cape Canaveral. Rain drops were also felt during tower rollback a little while ago.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 20002054 GMT (3:54 p.m. EST)
Launch of a Boeing Delta 2 rocket and four Globalstar satellites is just 24 hours away. Officials today held the traditional Launch Readiness Review and cleared the vehicle and spacecraft for liftoff on Tuesday at 3:54 p.m. EST (2054 GMT), the opening of a half-hour launch window.

Workers are spending this day before launch to complete C-band beacon and Range Safety checks with the rocket. Also, engineering walkdowns of the launch pad are being performed and preparations are underway to ready the mobile service tower for retraction from the rocket.

Final pre-flight activities will begin in earnest at sunrise tomorrow when the launch crews load RP-1 fuel, a highly refined kerosene, into the Delta 2 rocket's first stage. This fuel, along with liquid oxygen to be pumped aboard much closer to liftoff time, will be consumed by the Rocketdyne RS-27A first stage main engine during the initial 4 1/2 minutes of flight.

Managers decided to load the RP-1 early Tuesday morning instead of later in the launch countdown as typically planned so the fuel can "weight down" the rocket. Delta vehicles are not bolted to the launch pad and the extra weight will help in keeping the rocket steady from gusty winds once the tower is retracted. Tower removal is planned just after 8 a.m. EST.

The terminal countdown is slated to begin at 12:54 p.m. EST (1754 GMT) at T-minus 150 minutes. There are two built-in holds lasting a total duration of 30 minutes leading to the opening of the launch window at 3:54 p.m. EST (2054 GMT).

The launch time weather forecast remains basically unchanged with a 70 percent chance of good conditions. Meteorologists will be watching thunderstorm anvil and thick layered clouds and ground level winds, however. Air Force launch weather Joel Tumbiolo gives this overview:

"Weak cold front to move through area late Monday or early Tuesday and become stationary across south Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. Upper level energy originating over the Northern Plains is now over the southern Rockies and will move across the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday, and across Florida late Tuesday and Wednesday. This energy as it moves across the Gulf will pass over the stationary frontal boundary, resulting in thunderstorm development which could lead to anvil and thick clouds moving across Florida during the launch window. As this energy continues to move across Florida it could lead to the development of surface low pressure over the Gulf Stream late Tuesday or early Wednesday resulting in the possibility of coastal showers and thick clouds on Wednesday."

The launch time forecast calls for a few clouds at 5,000 and scattered clouds at 10,000 and 20,000 feet, visibility of 10 miles or better, north-northwesterly winds 12 gusting to 20 knots, a temperature between 63 and 65 degrees F and relative humidity of 50 percent.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 20002200 GMT (5:00 p.m. EST)
All systems are reported go at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's pad 17B for Tuesday's launch of a Boeing Delta 2 rocket carrying four satellites. The craft will complete Globalstar's cellular telephone constellation. The launch will be the first since the air station was renamed, adding the word 'force.'

Liftoff is set for 3:54 p.m. EST (2054 GMT), the opening of a 30-minute window.

Workers on Friday installed ordnance aboard the rocket. The Mission Readiness Review was held on Saturday. The rocket's protective payload fairing, or nose cone, was installed on Saturday, too. Today was spent loading storable propellants aboard the rocket's second stage. The Launch Readiness Review to clear the Delta for liftoff is planned for Monday.

The weather forecast calls for a 70 percent chance of acceptable conditions on Tuesday. The concerns will be ground-level winds and possibly clouds. Air Force launch weather Joel Tumbiolo gives this overview:

"Surface high pressure center positioned to the north-northwest of Florida will continue the overall benign conditions on Sunday. Upper level energy originating over the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest will dive quickly into the southeast U.S. on Monday and Tuesday. This energy will aid in allowing for a quick moving cold front originating from low pressure over extreme northeast U.S. to pass through Florida on late Monday or early Tuesday. At this time moisture availability with this entire system appears to be limited although offshore, post-frontal clouds may approach the coast on Tuesday and Wednesday as secondary low pressure develops well offshore."

The launch time forecast calls for a few clouds at 5,000 and 10,000 feet, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet, visibility of 10 miles or better, northwesterly winds 15 gusting to 20 knots, a temperature between 63 and 65 degrees F and relative humidity of 50 percent.

Should the launch be delayed until Wednesday, which would be the last attempt until after the space shuttle launch later in the week, the forecast remains similar with a 70 percent chance of good conditions. However, the concern will be more with the clouds and less with the ground-level winds.